Post Separation Support & Alimony

Post separation support and alimony are forms of spousal support that can be awarded to provide financial assistance to a spouse in need, the “dependent spouse”. Spousal support is paid by what is referred to as the “supporting spouse”.

When Can Spousal Support be Awarded?

At any time after separation, and before a divorce is granted, the court may entertain a claim for post-separation support. A judge may require a hearing on the issue of post separation support, or it can be decided by written affidavits. Alimony claims on the other hand, if not settled by agreement, are decided by the court, generally after the Equitable Distribution claim has been decided. This ensures that the marital estate distributed in an equitable distribution action is also taken into consideration for an alimony award.

How is Spousal Support determined?

Unlike child support there is no calculator that determines an amount of spousal support. The amount and duration of an award of post separation support and alimony are unique to facts of each individual case. In order to receive post-separation support or alimony, a finding of dependency by a court is not required. In awarding spousal support, the court must take into account a number of economic factors. They include:

misconduct of either spouse
earnings and earning capacity of each spouse
length of the marriage
obligations to support minor children
assets and liabilities of the spouses
contributions of one spouse to the earning potential of the other
ages, physical, mental or emotional conditions of each spouse
reasonable needs and financial obligations of each spouse
any other factor the court deems appropriate

How Long will spousal support last?

Post separation-support is temporary and ends upon the determination of alimony. Alimony, when ordered by a court, terminates automatically upon the occurrence of the first of the following events:

when all payments specified have been made, payments can be made in monthly installments or in a lump sum amount;
the dependent spouse remarries or engages in cohabitation with a romantic partner; or
The death of either the dependent spouse or supporting spouse.

Can an Alimony Order be modified?

It is possible to have the Court modify an Alimony Order that is permanent in nature. In order for the court to consider a modification, a change in economic circumstances would need to be shown. An experienced attorney can help you determine the options available to you to change the terms of your alimony order.

If you are a dependant spouse seeking financial assistance from your spouse, or if you are a supporting spouse defending against a spousal support claim, the family law and divorce attorneys at GHMA | LAW are dedicated to assist you in exploring all the options available. Spousal support awards can have long term implications for both spouses that must be considered, especially in a complex divorce cases.

Patrick McCroskey and Janet Amburgey are both board-certified specialists in family law and have worked with hundreds upon hundreds of divorcing spouses. They have extensive experience in negotiating settlements and advocating for clients in trial, if necessary. They understand the financial burden that divorce has on families and can provide compassionate and effective counsel to help you achieve a fair award of spousal support. To ensure that your interests are protected call us for a consultation at 828-258-3368 or use the contact form to connect with your alimony attorney today.

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828-258-3368

Lawyers

Patrick McCroskey
Janet Amburgey

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Common Questions & Concerns

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Emotions

In a domestic dispute, negative emotions such as hostility, anger, and revenge can needlessly delay a resolution and increase the cost. Perspective and objectivity, on the other hand, can promote a conclusion and reduce the cost.

Many factors may be involved in the breakup of your marriage, and you may feel indignation, anger and resentment toward your spouse. You may want to punish your spouse by making the process difficult and time-consuming. This type of thinking usually results in a no-win situation for everyone concerned.

Reconciliation

Often, a potential client visits an attorney to discuss divorce, although they have not yet made the decision to take the big step. First, they want to know their options. Attorneys typically encourage them to explore alternatives, and often suggest how to protect themselves and meet their needs, short of divorce.

If your attorney raises the issue of reconciliation, he is not questioning or judging your decision. But, it is clarifying and confirming that you know your options, and that you want a divorce.

Your Spouse's Suggestions

The mediator’s role is to move the parties beyond personality clashes and historic grievances. Only then, can the mediator help you improve communication so any future dealings can take place without repeating the difficulties of the past. Mediation is a useful tool because it adds a new dimension to the negotiations. Because the mediator’s purpose is to help guide you to find solutions that you can both agree to, he/she does not have the power to decide your case, or in any other way, act as a judge nor does he/she have a fixed result in mind to urge you toward.

Your Will

Length of Time

Generally speaking, it is impossible to predict exactly how long the case will take. After the case is under way, and your attorney understands the issues, he will be better able to gauge the duration. How long it will take depends on the following factors:

The number and complexity of contested issues;
The attitudes of each of the parties, their attorneys, and their inclination to settle;

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process in which two or more people involved in a dispute come together voluntarily to try to develop a solution to their problem with the help of a neutral third person (or persons), called the mediator. Unlike a judge or an arbitrator, the mediator does not take sides or make decisions. The mediator, usually trained in conflict resolution, is there to help the disputants evaluate their goals and options in order to formulate their own solution. To achieve the fairest results possible, you both take an active part in your divorce and turn what could be a battle for control into a search for mutually beneficial solutions.

Does Mediation Work?

Mediation can take place over a series of sessions. But, more often than not, it is scheduled for a continuous amount of time to keep the negotiations going. Sessions are generally held in the privacy of the mediator’s office or an attorney’s office, and begin with all involved signing an agreement that the negotiations will be kept confidential. At the end of a successful mediation, the mediator will prepare a Memorandum or writing expressing the agreements of the parties, at least on the issues which were resolved. Any formal agreement will be drafted by your or your spouse’s lawyer.

What to Expect from Your Mediator

What are the Benefits of Mediation?

Mediators can increase the likelihood of a negotiated settlement by bringing the skills, creativity, and influence of trained, impartial third parties to bear on the problem. Perhaps more importantly, frequently mediation can save time and money.

Mediation keeps your options open and reduces issues of conflict. Although most who undertake mediation have a successful conclusion, some do not. If mediation doesn’t work, you can still sue and go to court or engage in arbitration.

Counseling

Domestic disputes are emotionally charged. Clients are encouraged to seek counseling before and during the process. Counseling can help clients to work through their pain, accept the marriage’s end, learn coping skills, and pick up the pieces of their lives and go forward.

Don’t wait for your spouse to agree to participate. Individual counseling can help. Often, children and parents attend counseling together to alleviate the effects of a divorce or custody dispute on the children, and to help the family heal emotionally.

Practical Matters

Litigation often spawns more litigation. To determine whether certain issues are worth litigating, you must weigh the price you will pay with your time, emotions, and money, against the anticipated outcome and its benefit to you. Again, your attorney will advise you on these matters.

Dating prior to the final divorce: Don’t, unless your attorney has specifically advised you that it is okay.

Attorney Camaraderie

Attorneys who specialize in Divorce and Family Law will probably try many cases against each other over the years. They will attend the same professional events and, may even work on committees together. Camaraderie develops naturally over the years. Just because your attorney and your spouse’s attorney exchange pleasantries, share a joke, or have lunch together, does not mean that they are being disloyal to their clients. Your attorney is professionally committed to the best result for you given the facts of your case and the law. Being rude, hostile, or mean to opposing counsel does nothing to further your case and generally harms your case rather than helping.

Is Your Attorney Tough Enough?

All too often, the client has the attitude that a lawyer who is a “fighter” is a lawyer who refuses to cooperate with opposing counsel, makes demands and gets instant results, goes to court at the drop of a hat, and plays Perry Mason in court. This notion is sadly misguided.

The time to fight may be during tough negotiations or in court. But, not cooperating on routine matters accomplishes only greatly increased attorney fees because it requires both attorneys to do everything the hard way. Cooperation by the attorneys, as well as the parties, particularly during the discovery phase, is always in the best interest of the client.

Social Media

Social Media is a new facet of communication today. We understand that everyone participates in social media to some degree. When you are involved in divorce proceedings or any type of litigation for that matter, a good general practice is to avoid discussing any element of your case, or your spouse, in any social media forum. All social media is discoverable, and it never goes away. If you are considering divorce or litigation, be very careful what you say in online forums, including email attached to social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace.

Costs

Just as it is impossible to predict exactly how long your case will take, it is difficult to realistically estimate the total cost of your litigation, even when your attorney knows the issues that will be contested and the strength of the parties’ feelings. If you and/or your spouse have completely lost trust in one another, want complete discovery on all issues, and desire to argue many issues to the bitter end, the process will be long, drawn-out and expensive. read more >>>

Post Separation Support & Alimony

When Can Spousal Support be Awarded?

How is Spousal Support determined?

How Long will spousal support last?

Can an Alimony Order be modified?

Most Recent Alimony Articles

Divorce Over 50: Addressing Unique Challenges for Grey Divorces in North Carolina

Enforcing Out-of-State Divorce Decrees and Custody Orders in North Carolina

The Impact of Social Media on Divorce Proceedings in North Carolina

Do I have to Provide My Medical Records to My Ex in a Divorce

Can I Require My Spouse to Maintain Life Insurance To Secure an Alimony or Child Support Obligation?

Can Alimony Be Increased or Decreased?

Costly Divorce Mistakes: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.

Common Questions & Concerns

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